The homegrown economic reform will propel Ethiopia to become the African icon of prosperity by 2030, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said.

Opening a forum held to brief international development partners and the diplomatic community on the Homegrown Economic Reform agenda of the country, the premier stated that “the homegrown economic reform agenda is close to my heart and I believe it’s our bridge to prosperity, enabling us to become a middle-income nation that ensures sustainable development.”

Acknowledging that the next capture of Ethiopia’s growth and development requires more active private sector, Abiy said “we have opened up key economic activities to private investment.”

According to him, his government prioritized the success of key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining and ICT anchor in the vision for building a prosperous nation. “Our priority is to create economic environment that closes income inequality gap by creating opportunity and access of sources for all our youth.”

The premier called on development partners to continue strengthening their support.

International development partners who participated in the discussion praised the country’s efforts to reduce poverty and to continue economic growth.

They stated that they would provide financial and technical support for the implementation of the economic reform, according to ENA.

Concerted global efforts are required to spread the rapidly expanding digital economy’s gains to many people who currently reap little benefit from it, according to the first-ever United Nations Digital Economy Report 2019 released on September 4, 2019.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Report maps the flow, data and funds in the world’s digital economy.

According to the report, digital wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few US and Chinese based platforms.

The Government of Canada wants to increase investment and trade presence in Ethiopia alongside engagement in agriculture, Ambassador Antoine Chevrier said.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Canada’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Antoine Chevrier said the objective of Canada in Ethiopia is to grow and diversify its presence alongside maintaining the strong development program that corresponds to the priorities of the country.

Ambassador Chevrier pointed out that with the Ethiopian New Year in site and the last month of Canada’s new year approaching, “ the objective for us is to keep on doing the good work on the development side, but also more and more diversify our presence.”

Hearing from all stakeholders, that is NGOs, the government and other partners in Ethiopia, “the government’s programs are okay and are needed in many ways; but the need for different relationship with multiple components on trade, for example, is critical,” he elaborated.

Ambassador Chevrier further stated that “hopefully, with the coming Ethiopian New Year, we will see the relationship between our two countries in much more diversified way, very robust based on vibrant and strong presence.”

According to him, a big part of Canada’s cooperation in Ethiopia is the agricultural sector. Besides, one of the bigger programs of the country is supporting the productive safety net program as the need is high.

Ethiopia is reportedly one of the largest recipients of Canada’s international assistance, 198.15 million USD in 2017-2018.

Some of the new initiatives, including entrepreneurship, among others started recently, the ambassador added.

Commenting on the strong relationship between the two countries, he said “ it is a big portfolio and we have been here for a long time. I think we can see it moving as also the priorities of Ethiopia are moving.”

Five-year project, which is expected to help increase the price of Ethiopia’s coffee in international markets, was launched today.

The 15-million-Euros project is funded by the European Union. It involves coffee producers in 28 woredas of Oromia, SNNP and Amhara regional states.

The Government of Ethiopia will also provide support in kind and expertise for the implementation of the project.

During the launching ceremony, Agriculture State Minister Sani Redi said the aim of the project is to help increase the price of Ethiopian coffee in the international market and strengthen the economy.